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A Hidden Memorial p103
Served in the Revolutionary War by 4 enlistmenrs, 1777 to 1781. graduated at Dartmouth College 1791. Pasror of the Cong'l Church at Tamworth NH for 46 years. A well known memorial to his ministry, known as Ordination Rock, stands by the roadside at Tamworth, on the East side of which is an inscription giving the vital statistics of his life. On the West side "To perpetuate the memory of his ministry and public services, a grandson bearing his honored name, provided for the erection of this centograph, 1862"

Samuel Hidden, the subject of the following sketch, was born at Rowley, Essex County, Massachusetts, on the 22d day of February, 1760.
He was the son of Price and Eunice Hidden, formerly Eunice Hodgskin, whose children were:-
Samuel, the subject of this memoir,
Mehitable, married to Mr. James Burnham of Manchester,MA.,
Eunice, married to Mr. William Clark, formerly of Beverly, Mass., afterwards removed to Tamworth Mrs. Clark is still living in Bangor, ME.
Martha married to Mr. Joseph Kilborne of Rowley, MA.
William Price, now living in Tamworth,
Betsey and Jonathan, who died young, and
Ephraim, who lived in Tamworth, and was drowned in Bearcamp River, 1824.

His father was by trade a Comb maker, and in indigent circumstances. His mother
was a pious woman and early taught him the Assembly's Catechism and various parts
of the Scriptures, the historical portions of which he read, when even a child, with great
interest. He early discovered a strong desire for learning and improved every opportunity for acquiring knowledge of those branches of English education then taught in common schools.
At the age of nine years, he was bound to an Inn keeper, who was also a shoemaker
by trade, as an apprentice. He was found very adroit in dealing out liquors and in at tending to his master's interest. His master was an austere, avaricious man, and afforded him but few opportunities for mental improvement, and often required of him the labour of a man.
Samuel was of a sanguine temperament and lively imagination. He early laid plans for future greatness, and gave intimations to his master that he was not always to be under his control.
The country was new and far reaching in every direction. The spirit of enterprise was widely diffused. Adventure was abroad, and he who would, might make a fortune. Besides, his chivalrous soul was animated with tales of valour. The ocean was infested with pirates and the Indians made depredations upon the frontiers. The marines were victorious and the militia were successful. His mind was ardent, bold. He longed for freedom. The confinement of the
shop and bar ill suited his active temperament, He resolved to seek his fortune far from the scenes of his childhood, but was prevented by the vigilance of his master and the tender advice of his mother. He felt bound to obey his parents in all things, and a sense of his obligation to them was a strong restraint upon his youthful passions.
The controversy between the colonies and England arising, confinement was insufferable. By the old militia law, every male inhabitant, from sixteen years old to sixty, was obliged to be provided with a musket and bayonet, knapsack, cartridge box, one pound of powder, and twenty bullets and twelve flints. In time of peace, these requisitions were neglected, and the people in general were not completely furnished.
Young Hidden entreated his master, at the age of fifteen, to procure him the above
mentioned materials for service. Being refused, he determined to procure them for himself and by extra labor obtained means for purchasing them. He immediately showed them to his master, saying, "What have earned I can use. This shall make the British dogs howl." That enthusiastic patriotism which elevates the soul above all considerations of interest or danger had now become his ruling passion.
The year 1775, was the commencement of that struggle which resulted in the independence of the Colonies. The country was alive with the bustle of preparation, and in every countenance could be read the expectation of important transactions in which all must participate. Independent companies were formed, voluntary trainings were frequent, the old and the young, the rich and the poor devoted their hours of amusement and of leisure, to exercises calculated to fit them to act a part in the anticipated conflict.
None manifested greater zeal than young Hidden. He had now arrived at the age of sixteen. The whole country was in arms. Charlestown was in ashes and the Battle of Bunker's Hill had been fought, the northern frontier was awake to liberty, the brave and generous Montgomery had fallen and disasters continued to discourage. But there was no hope of reconciliation. The last humble petition of Congress to the king had been presented, but their petitions had been slighted, their remonstrances had produced additional violence and insult, their supplications had been disregarded, and they had been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. They had done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which was coming on. And now an appeal to arms, and to the God of hosts, was all that was left them. They felt that there was a just God, who presides over the destinies of nations, and who would raise up friends to fight their battles for them. That the battle was not to the strong alone, but to the vigilant, the active, the brave.' Thus circumstanced, the famous Declaration of Independence was unanimously adopted in Congress on the 4th of July, 1776, and welcomed by the people with joy which was displayed by extraordinary public festivals.
The watch word from Maine to Georgia, was"Sink or swim, live or die, survive or perish,
I give my hand and my heart to this Declaration." Every man was ready to say
with the patriotic John Adams, "All that I have, and all that I am, and all that I hope,
in this life, I am now ready to stake upon it. It is my living sentiment, and by the blessing of God, it shall be my dying sentiment independence now and independence forever!"
While such was the feeling in the community generally, no wonder young Hidden burned with patriotic zeal and resolved to glory in the success of his country or die in her defeat. He frankly communicated to his master his resolution to leave him and fight for his bleeding country. "To deal out your liquors while others are dealing out their blood for freedom is ignominious,"' said he to his master.

The first white man who settled in this town was Mr. Mark Jewell, (1772) whose
father resided in Sandwich. He settled on what is now called Stevenson's Hill, removing about six years after to what is called Birch Interval. Mr. Jewell is now living (1842) in comparatively good health, aged about 89. His mental faculties retain an unusual degree of vigor. He was married to Ruth Vittum of Sandwich, 1776, by Esquire Beedy. Soon after Mr. Jewell's settlement in Tamworth, he was followed by his brother, Bradbury Jewell and Mr. David Plnlbrick, the latter of whom was killed by the fall of a tree, leaving a wife and six children to mourn his loss. He settled on what is called the River road. About this time several other families settled near Bearcamp River and in various other parts of the town.

Mr. Hidden was married Nov. 29, 1792, to Miss Betsy Price, daughter of Mr. William Price of Gilmanton. The town, as stipulated, had erected him a house and finished a part of it.
The children of Mr. Hidden were five, two of whom only are now living, viz.
William Price, residing in Tamworth, and
Elizabeth, now the wife of Dr. Ebenezer G. Moore of Wells, Maine.
Sophia, who became the wife of Lieut. Jonathan C. Gilman, leaving a husband and seven children, died in the triumphs of faith, May 15, 1832, aged thirty seven.
Sarah was a rare spirit, amiable in life, and lovely even in death. She died Nov. 5, 1819, aged twenty two.
George, his second son, by nature possessed an open and frank disposition, a kind heart and delicate sensibilities. But having early imbibed an inordinate desire for intoxicating liquors, he brought anguish to the heart of kind parents and an affectionate wife, disgrace upon his relations and ruin upon himself. He was a son that caused shame. The entreaties of a father and of a mother, the embraces of a wife and advice of friends failed to effect any radical change in his conduct. His moral strength was paralyzed. His better nature had been abused, outraged and failed him. But, notwithstanding the darkness that hung over the future, his father lived in faith that ere long his son would be washed in that blood which cleanseth from all sin, though it wrung his heart with the keenest anguish to see the object of
his affection given up to a beastly appetite. He lived not however to see the fulfillment; yet that son did die a humble Christian. That insidious disease, consumption, preyed upon his vitals, and, August 14, 1840, after a protracted illness, he left earth for heaven. He went to meet that father who had prayed in faith for him and in answer to whose prayers he had obtained the hopes of everlasting life. Some months previous to his death he became a new creature in Christ.